Educational Field Experiences / Student Teaching

The Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching Program (COST)

Objectives of COST

The major objective of the COST program, as with all student teaching programs, is to provide an opportunity for the student teacher to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired at the home university. Toward this objective, the student teacher should receive as much responsibility for the class as she or he can handle.
The uniqueness of the COST program is the setting of a foreign city, country, and culture in which the student teaching experience takes place. Therefore, additional objectives of the COST student teachers are:
- To gain first-hand experience of the foreign city, country, and culture.
- To gain non-U. S. perspectives on world events.
- To gain appreciation of the differences in family life between the U.S. and the host country through participation in host-family activities.
- To teach in a bilingual setting.
- To clarify their position as an American by mingling in a different social milieu.
- To consider ways to bring an international perspective back to their classrooms in the United States.

While an overseas student teaching placement can be the highlight of your preparation as a professional educator, it is a demanding experience. You should seriously consider the following before completing your application.

Am I flexible and open-minded?

American schools abroad (as well as many host-national schools) serve young people from many nationalities. Even in some American schools abroad, American children may make up less than 10% of the student body. You will be confronted with diverse learning-style preferences, languages, role distinctions, value orientations, and so forth. These will be found in the classroom, among the staff, in the community, as well as in your living situation.

Can I tolerate ambiguity?

In any cross-cultural situation, all the cues needed to interact and make decisions will not be readily apparent. Yet, you will have to make decisions and act on your own. Can you live and work comfortably when all the answers you think you need are not readily available?

Am I outgoing, or at least confident in new situations?

Developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, as well as communicating effectively with others, are two skills necessary for successful integration in an intercultural context.

Do I feel knowledgeable and confident as a teacher? Will I be able to adapt what I know to a new situation?

In many cultures, expectations of teachers may differ; teacher's guides may NOT be provided (or available) for your use, or teaching materials may NOT be plentiful. The creative, confident, and flexible teacher will succeed.

How do I cope with stresses in my life? Will I be able to do so while abroad?

All people experience some form of culture shock, or the inability to satisfy one's needs when abroad for any length of time. This creates stress in the individual which, if not reduced, can lead to problems. How will you manage this overseas? (For instance, if you rely heavily on friends and/or family for support, realize that they will not be nearby, telephone calls are expensive, and mail may take one week to reach its destination.)

Am I reflective? Am I willing to learn in this situation? Will I work to bring this experience back home?

While you may feel that because you are nearing the end of a significant amount of education you are better skilled and prepared than ever before, you are primarily a learner in an international setting. You will, in many ways, be like a newborn as you attempt to learn and teach in this new culture. Considering yourself as a learner, as opposed to the expert, will serve you well. Be open to others. LOOK-LISTEN-LEARN. It will also be necessary to explore how you can bring this experience home with you.

Have I ever had any international or intercultural experiences in my past which I can reflect upon?

Prior knowledge and experience can provide a good foundation from which to build upon. What experiences have you had which will help you as you live overseas?